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This week may prove to be the defining moment for Keir Starmer’s reputation as the tough figurehead of the Labour party. The question is, how far will the Prime Minister be willing to push his MPs?

With the numbers on his side, Starmer has the freedom to enact any policy without fear of parliamentary resistance. However, the long-term consequences of forcing MPs to support harsh welfare cuts affecting millions of people are concerning.

Many Labour MPs are distressed by the suffering their disabled constituents are experiencing due to the government’s planned changes, which will be unveiled on Tuesday. The delays and repeated alterations to the government’s plans have made the wait almost unbearable.

From the beginning, the government has struggled to present a clear vision for its proposed reforms. They are attempting to address a complex societal issue while simultaneously cutting costs to appease budget watchdogs at the spring statement. In reality, ministers recognize that the problem cannot be simplified to mere financial calculations.

During conversations with Labour MPs and briefings in Downing Street, concerns are raised about the growing number of young individuals who are too sick to work. There is a justified fear that attempting to find employment may result in a harsh reassessment and potential destitution.

A presentation by key No 10 officials, including manifesto author turned-economic adviser Rav Athwal, aimed to demonstrate that the UK’s spending on disability benefits is a significant outlier among European nations.

These efforts, however, do little to convince MPs. Despite being told that there is a “moral case” for reforms, MPs know that cold, hard numbers are the primary driving factor. If they tighten the criteria for employment support, it will cause significant anxiety for vulnerable disabled individuals who will never be able to work and will see their income cut.

Freezing PIP, the most controversial proposal, may be dropped due to the uproar among Labour MPs.

While it is possible to support Starmer’s principle of addressing youth unemployment, the reality of the criteria being modified is more difficult to accept.

Ministers reportedly plan to set the criteria for PIP higher than previously, excluding those who need assistance with tasks such as washing their lower body or eating. However, there are concerns that individuals with conditions like autism, deafness, MS, or dementia will be unfairly excluded.

The original intention of PIP was to provide support for the increased cost of living faced by disabled individuals. There is no doubt that these measures will result in a rise in child poverty, a cause that many MPs entered politics to address.

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p class=”dcr-s3ycb2″>The so-called “moral case” for these measures becomes increasingly difficult to make in the face of this reality. Labour MPs have stated that they will not support it. Any resentment will be directed towards Downing Street, not the welfare secretary Liz Kendall, who has been advocating for a compassionate and

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/mar/17/how-far-will-starmer-risk-pushing-labour-mps-to-swallow-welfare-cuts